Lying on the beach enjoying the sun and sea breeze, doing some water sports, trying some local food for lunch and rounding off the day with a cocktail while watching the sunset… here’s the recipe for a dream day at the beach in Tenerife.
There are days when you don’t fancy doing much at all, except just relaxing. Well, you can do just that in Tenerife, but not in your hotel room with the curtains drawn. We’re talking about lying on a sun lounger at the beach listening to the hypnotic sound of the waves and soaking up the sun while the cool sea breeze caresses your skin. Sound appealing? Well that’s just the basis for an enjoyable day at the beach. If you want to get even more out of your day, whether alone, with your partner, family or friends, you can add lots of extras to enhance your day and make it a truly unforgettable experience.
Here’s our plan for you to spend 24 hours in Tenerife that includes a bit of everything, but always with the beach and sea as the star attractions.
CHOOSE YOUR IDYLLIC BEACH
Close to a hundred beaches stretch along the north and south coasts of the island. The ones in the north are more wild, especially as most are of black volcanic sand. We suggest checking out the beaches of El Socorro (Los Realejos) or Playa Jardín (Puerto de la Cruz), for instance.
If you prefer golden sand, Las Teresitas, in Santa Cruz, is over three kilometres long, so there’ll be plenty of room for your towel and to let yourself be seduced by this tranquil setting. If you decide to head south, there are lots of golden beaches to choose from, such as Playa de Las Vistas (Arona) or Torviscas (Adeje), to name just two.
HAVE FUN AND MORE BESIDES
At the beaches of Tenerife, you’ll often find options to complement your sunbathing and refreshing swims with other activities that require a minimum of effort. From donning your mask, flippers and snorkel to explore colourful sea beds teeming with life, through to more daring options like parascending, windsurfing or kitesurfing. For such sports, El Médano is definitely one of the best places to head, whether you’re a beginner or an expert. Here, you can enjoy your favourite sport in excellent wind and sea conditions combined with an ambience that is both bustling and inviting at the same time.
GREAT SEAFOOD AT MASÍA DEL MAR
All over the island, restaurants serve traditional food that turns them into culinary temples where eating is about more than simply satisfying your hunger. On this occasion, we’re recommending one such restaurant where they create exquisite seafood specialities: Masía del Mar, in La Caleta de Adeje.
It’s easy to find as it stands on a pedestrian-only street that ends at the picturesque cove after which this fishing village is named. A useful tip: before sitting at your table, take a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets that lead to the cove, and have a refreshing swim next to the small boats moored on the pebbles. Then, having worked up an appetite, you can head back to the restaurant.
Guests are met by Marivi who runs the restaurant and tells them all about the mussels, langoustines, shellfish, crabs and lobsters they serve that attract hundreds of diners to the restaurant every day. What to have? Paella, “arroz caldoso” (a delicious rice soup), “zarzuela de marinera” (seafood casserole), bouillabaisse… Whatever you choose, you won’t regret it. This spacious, well-lit establishment has various dining rooms where you can try their exquisite dishes, as well as a terrace with spectacular views.
PAPAGAYO BEACH CLUB
A day at the beach wouldn’t be “a real day at the beach” without a fabulous sunset, and if we throw in some good music, great food and enticing cocktails, we can only be talking about one place: Papagayo Beach Club, at Playa de Troya beach in Arona.
Since its opening in September 2012, Papagayo has become the island’s number one hotspot at any time of the day and night. It has two floors with a very tasteful decor, so you’re sure to find a corner to chill out in; including the outdoor area, with exclusive Bali-style beds and “VIP palapas” (thatched-roof shades), as well as the indoor restaurant.
They serve a wide variety of dishes, as well as different breakfasts to start the day or lunches that include sushi specialities and gourmet burgers. Of course, there is also an extensive choice of international dishes: rice with lobster is probably the star of the show, but they also have grilled Iberian pork with potatoes and seasonal vegetables, or chef’s special sea bass.
In the evening, you can enjoy fabulous sunsets from here, which is yet another great reason to come along. In good company, trying some of the many cocktails or signature G+T’s, all makes for a truly sublime experience. If you like gin and tonic, you simply must try a G´Vine Floraison, made with slices of grape and raspberry (or strawberry) and a sprig of basil accompanied by Fever Tree tonic.
Later on, you can enjoy some great live music, including soul, funk and flamenco. At weekends, the cabin attracts great artists from both the national and international electronic music scene. Papagayo Beach Club opens at 10.30am and doesn’t close until 4 in the morning (6am on Fridays and Saturdays).
